The pace bowler has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
The Australian chair of selectors the selector has declared that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in this winter's historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series set to start on the 21st of November in Perth.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the prospects of participating.
"We know that time is getting short and various factors around that, not just the back issue, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he will feature a major part. Hopefully it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India last month after scans revealed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of three Australian summers in a short span.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the first Test as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games in any case. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for a short period, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
The Historic Rivalry
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
